Dushugang Ancient Village

Dushugang Ancient Village

Dushugang (formerly known as Shuxi or Tongshu) was established in the late Zhi Da era of the Yuan Dynasty (around 1330 AD), situated on a range of hills south of the Lubao Yong, a tributary of the Beijiang River. By the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Dushugang covered an area of 8 square kilometers with over 10,000 mu of arable land. It is said that Dushugang derived its name from a towering, majestic ancient tree that stood firmly on a hill within the village in ancient times. Seven hundred years ago, the Zhu family was the first to establish a settlement in the Shan’gang area of Dushugang, which is why the place was initially called Zhujia Village. Later, clans such as the Cai, Zhou, and Xian successively settled in Dushugang; from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republican period, the Liang family, who made a living by fishing, moved ashore and settled here. Due to the prosperity and continuous expansion of the Cai clan, Dushugang grew into a large village. By the end of the Republican era, the village population had exceeded 5,000. With its vast land and large population—and the Cai clan accounting for over 90%—Dushugang has long been known as “the Cai of Sanshui,” and it remains the largest natural village in the Sanshui region.

Since its establishment in the early Yuan Dynasty, Dushugang developed rapidly through the early Ming Dynasty, with its population growing swiftly and the village area gradually expanding. The ancestors laid out the village according to the geographical environment, designing it based on the feng shui principle of “four waters converging to the source.” Rainwater from each enclosed section was channeled step-by-step toward the Datang Pond, then drained through a single water gate. This layout reflects profound concepts of the Yin-Yang and Eight Trigrams from the Book of Changes.

With a history of 700 years since its founding, Dushugang Village has accumulated and preserved a rich heritage of Lingnan culture. The ancestors left behind a collection of outstanding ancient buildings rich in cultural significance. These structures feature intricate carvings on beams and eaves, sculpted ridges, and a complete array of brick carvings, stone carvings, wood carvings, and murals—landscapes and figures, flowers and birds all vividly rendered. Ancient halls and wells are laid out ingeniously, oriented naturally. Thanks to repairs by later generations, most of these structures remain intact to this day, retaining their grandeur and brilliance. They are truly rare cultural relics in the region. Unfortunately, some ancient buildings were destroyed during the Japanese invasion of China, such as the Dagang Temple and the Confucius Temple. Others were demolished due to construction and development needs, including the Fangbian Pavilion, the Xinmen Tower, and ancient brick-paved paths like Longyan’gang Road and Chenxu Road.

Hongsheng Ancient Temple

Built before the 45th year of the Wanli reign in the Ming Dynasty (1617 AD), it has been praised as “situated on high ground, embraced by the flat lake and surrounding peaks, crisscrossed by flowing waters, with houses lined up like fish scales, creating a majestic formation that resembles stars encircling a celestial body—a naturally splendid site.”

Bai’ge Bridge

Constructed in the first year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty (1862 AD), its architectural style carries forward the ancient charm of the Luoyang Flat Bridge in Quanzhou, Fujian, built by the ancestor Cai Zhonghui.

The Grand Ancestral Hall

Built in the 3rd year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty (1878 AD), the entire structure was made with premium materials, crafted exquisitely, and boasts a grand and solemn presence, fully reflecting the dignity of a prominent clan. Later, in 1930, Xiuzhing Park was completed, forming a harmonious whole with the Cai Clan Grand Ancestral Hall. The park features fruit trees, flowers, and plants arranged tastefully, with corridors and stone paths winding through it. The overall garden architecture is ingeniously designed, demonstrating remarkable artistry. It retains Lingnan characteristics while also exhibiting strong European flair, making it a classic example of East-West cultural fusion.

Clan Ancestral Halls and Study Halls

The ancestral halls built by the second-generation descendants of the Dushugang Cai clan, such as the Changfang Cai Ancestral Hall, the Puxuan Ancestral Hall of the third branch, the Shaoqi Cai Ancestral Hall of the fourth branch, the Xuantang Ancestral Hall of the sixth branch, the Gui’xuan Ancestral Hall, and the Gui-Ancestral Hall, are also of considerable scale and distinctive character. The study halls built by various branches are spread throughout the village, such as the Tingchu Study Hall, the Tongbin Study Hall, the Boying Study Hall, the Ruiting Study Hall, the Benlian Study Hall, the Benhong Study Hall, the Benyi Study Hall, the Dingyi Study Hall, the Yushi Study Hall, the Bianzu Study Hall, the Guangwu Study Hall, the Wenzhou Study Hall, the Bishan Study Hall, the Wenzan Study Hall, the Yusshan Study Hall, and the Jiangtang Study Hall—all of which are superior structures. Other historic buildings, such as the pawnshop (Niaoge Building) located in the village and the Chenshi Pavilion by the embankment, also have unique features.

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